Bill
HB 4675
The bill creates or regulates a local stormwater funding mechanism, imposing a charge or assessment to pay for stormwater infrastructure and related management.
HB 4675 (2026) – Relating to “Rain Tax” (West Virginia)
Overview
- Purpose: The bill addresses the imposition, administration, and potential framework of a local tax or assessment commonly referred to as a “rain tax.” It seeks to regulate or specify aspects related to stormwater funding through such a levy. The exact policy details are not fully provided in the text excerpt, but the title indicates the bill targets the so-called rain tax mechanism.
Key Provisions and Changes (as indicated by the title and typical scope of “Rain Tax” legislation)
- Stormwater Finance: Establishes, modifies, or clarifies a local or state approach to funding stormwater management programs, infrastructure, and related maintenance through a dedicated charge or assessment.
- Assessment Basis and Rates: Likely includes definitions or rules around how charges are calculated (e.g., by parcel size, impervious surface area, usage, or other metrics). May specify caps, exemptions, or phased implementation.
- Local Government Roles: If applicable, assigns responsibilities to counties, municipalities, or other local authorities for administering, collecting, and enforcing the stormwater charge.
- Exemptions and Credits: Could set forth exemptions for certain properties (e.g., active agricultural lands, nonprofits, government facilities) or credits/discounts for improvements that reduce runoff.
- Use of Revenues: Identifies permissible uses of collected funds (e.g., maintenance of storm drains, green infrastructure, pollution prevention, flood mitigation, environmental compliance).
- Reporting and Oversight: May require regular reporting, auditing, or transparency measures to ensure proper use of funds and to provide public visibility.
- Administrative Procedures: Defines administrative processes, deadlines, penalties for nonpayment, and remedies for noncompliance.
Who Would Be Affected
- Property Owners: As potential payers of a stormwater assessment or tax, with liability depending on the defined basis (parcel, impervious area, etc.).
- Local Governments: Responsible for implementing and collecting the charge, maintaining stormwater systems, and reporting.
- Businesses and Developers: Potentially affected to the extent the assessment is tied to development footprints or impervious surface calculations.
- Public Entities: Depending on exemptions, certain public facilities or government properties may be treated differently (exempt or subject to credits).
Procedural and Timeline Considerations
- Status: Introduced in House on January 21, 2026; assigned to House Energy and Public Works.
- Sponsorship: Multiple sponsors listed (including co-sponsors: Larry Kump, Chris Anders, Lisa White, Dave Foggin, Laura Kimble, Eric Brooks, Wayne Clark, Corby Dillon).
- Next Steps: If passed by committee and chamber, would move to further floor consideration, potential amendments, and votes. Timeline would depend on committee action, floor scheduling, and any conference or negotiation if passed in one chamber.
Notes and Observations
- The bill’s full text is not provided in the excerpt; the summarized content is inferred from the title and typical elements of “rain tax” legislation. For a precise understanding, the bill’s specific definitions, rates, exemptions, administrative structure, and revenue uses should be reviewed in the official bill text and fiscal notes.
- Given the co-sponsorship, the measure has bipartisan or cross-aisle support, but detailed policy implications (economic impact on homeowners, business sectors, and local budgets) require analysis of the enacted provisions.
If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to emphasize potential fiscal impact estimates, compare to existing West Virginia stormwater funding approaches, or extract specific provisions once the full text is available.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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